Proofreading & Editing Proofreading Assessment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence has an error in apostrophe use?
- The children's books were scattered.
- James's report was thorough.
- The company's policy changed last year.
- The editor's approved the manuscript. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The editor's approved the manuscript.
Adding an apostrophe-s to 'editors' makes it possessive, but here it's used as the subject of the sentence, requiring no apostrophe.
Question 2: What does the proofreading mark 'tr' or a transposition symbol indicate?
- Delete the word
- Translate the text
- Reverse the order of letters, words, or lines (Correct answer)
- Insert a space
Correct answer: Reverse the order of letters, words, or lines
The transposition mark signals that the marked elements (letters, words, or lines) should be switched in order.
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses a colon?
- She needed: eggs, milk, and flour.
- The ingredients are: eggs, milk, and flour.
- She had three goals: to learn, to grow, and to lead. (Correct answer)
- He said: that the meeting was cancelled.
Correct answer: She had three goals: to learn, to grow, and to lead.
A colon should follow a complete independent clause before introducing a list or explanation.
Question 4: Which sentence contains a homophone error?
- The weather affected the outdoor event.
- They're going to the conference next week.
- The new policy will altar the workflow. (Correct answer)
- She accepted the award graciously.
Correct answer: The new policy will altar the workflow.
'Altar' is a noun (a raised structure), while 'alter' (to change) is the correct word in this context.
Question 5: In formal writing, which is the preferred way to write numbers?
- Always use numerals for every number
- Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above (AP style) (Correct answer)
- Spell out all numbers regardless of size
- Use numerals only for numbers over 100
Correct answer: Spell out numbers one through nine; use numerals for 10 and above (AP style)
AP style (common in journalism and many professional settings) spells out numbers one through nine and uses numerals for 10 and above.
Question 6: Which sentence contains a redundancy?
- Please return the book to the library.
- She made an unexpected surprise announcement. (Correct answer)
- The report was submitted on Tuesday.
- He revised the document carefully.
Correct answer: She made an unexpected surprise announcement.
'Surprise' by definition is unexpected, so 'unexpected surprise' is redundant.
Question 7: Which sentence correctly uses 'ensure,' 'insure,' and 'assure'?
- Please assure the car before the trip.
- I want to insure you that this is accurate.
- Take these steps to ensure accuracy in the report. (Correct answer)
- We need to ensure the package against damage.
Correct answer: Take these steps to ensure accuracy in the report.
'Ensure' means to make certain something happens; 'insure' relates to financial insurance; 'assure' is used to reassure a person.
Proofreading & Editing Proofreading Assessment 5
Which sentence has an error in apostrophe use?